Protecting our Fish and Wildlifefor Future Generations.

News Release

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division Reminding People to Practice Firearms and Hunting Safety

Media Contact

Luke JoyceDirector of CommunicationsDepartment of Justice and Public Safety709-729-6985, 725-4165lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

With the big game hunting season well underway, the Fish and
Wildlife Enforcement Division is reminding the public to exercise
safe firearms and hunting practices. So far this hunting season,
the number of detected violations of the Wildlife Act has increased by
approximately 24 per cent over the same period last year.
Particularly troubling is the fact that the number of firearms
violations has increased by approximately 54 per cent. A number of
charges have been laid for incidents including carrying a loaded
firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm from or across a
highway.

Since the start of the big game hunting season, numerous trucks,
ATV/UTVs and boats have been seized along with 25 moose and
caribou, 35 firearms and other associated hunting equipment. If
this unfortunate trend continues, it is anticipated that this will
be the busiest big game hunting season for Fish and Wildlife
Enforcement Officers since the division was formed in 2011.

The Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division continues to remind the
public that it is illegal to have a loaded firearm in a vehicle.
Officers arerequesting that all hunters follow safe hunting
practices. Officers rely on the residents of Newfoundland and
Labrador to help protect big game resources and to improve public
safety, and encourage anyone to report suspicious activity.
Information can be provided anonymously at 1-877-820-0999 (toll
free) or by visitingwww.stoppoaching.ca.